It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Since we'll be gone all of Thanksgiving weekend I decided it was time to decorate. Of course Max was so excited!

We did this tree while Ali was sleeping, he did it all himself. Then Friday evening was get out the tree time. Next year we'll finally be able to chop down a real one but I just didn't feel like dealing with Aliyah breaking irresistible ornaments yet for one more year. This table on the tree thing has worked very well for us the last few toddler years. Looking forward to the pine smell again though...

Three ornaments on one branch:)

The finished product (with a little help from mom)!

Trying to get Peanut in the picture, not working so well.

Spent some time outside with daddy raking leaves. His first cup of "warm" chocolate. Of course it was a hit! Cheers!

Went to Bass Pro for the annual Santa picture. Max was telling him how he wanted new train tacks.

Poor Peanut just still was not liking Santa, she was distraught for a while. Max then played on the 4wheelers but she just wanted back in the safe stroller. Poor thing, guess she can't be brave all the time.

Weekend visit

We finally got to see Grandpa Ken and Grandma Diana! It had been since the summer because they were traveling so much. Diana had a jewerly booth at a show in Lebanon at Christmas show and we needed and outing for the day so we headed over. They had a huge train set up, Max just loved it. He's been so into trains now, especially since Nate showed him the set up he's working on in the basement. And Diana sweet talked the train guys on a good deal and got 2 boxes of setting stuff (houses, other buildings, etc) which we didn't have any of so Max was so thrilled to see the village Nate set up while he took his nap when we got home. Surprisingly Aliyah teared up when I tried to sit her on Santa's lap. She usually likes anyone but apparently not if they're in a red suit! Max was hesitant at first but once he realized I wasn't leaving (since I couldn't put Peanut down) he came in to the picture.

All he wanted was the little candy cane Santa gave him and the houses for his train set. Easy job at our house Santa has!

Then Grandpa Ken came out (met up with Diana later). They literally fought for his attention and had such a good time.

Opening some late birthday gifts, can't get enough Lightening McQueen...

Cookies!